The Russian Embassy has sharply criticized Donald Trump’s tariffs on India, calling them a case of “double standards” in global trade policy. The remarks came as officials confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin will meet in New Delhi before the end of this year, with India-Russia relations and trade ties at the center of the agenda.
Russia Criticizes U.S. Tariffs on India
A high-ranking Russian official said that Moscow perceives the U.S. sanctions and tariffs as “unfair” and designed to disrupt India’s growing economic partnership with Russia. Referring to the Trump administration’s additional 25% duty on Indian purchases of Russian crude oil, the embassy declared: “If Indian goods cannot enter the U.S. market, they can certainly go to Russia.”
The embassy accused Washington of following a “double standard,” describing U.S. pressure on India to reduce its oil imports from Russia as hypocritical and harmful to global trade.
Indian Oil Trade and Strategic Advantage
Russia emphasized that discounts on Russian crude oil remain highly profitable for India, with rates nearly 5% below global benchmarks. Moscow stressed that India has no real substitute for Russian oil, as it continues to offer a competitive edge to Indian refiners.
This comes against a backdrop of worsening trade friction between New Delhi and Washington, particularly after India resisted U.S. demands to open its dairy and agricultural sectors under a proposed trade deal. Analysts believe the dispute underscores the growing challenge of balancing India’s foreign policy between the U.S. and Russia.
Putin-Modi Meeting to Boost Trade Ties
Officials confirmed that Vladimir Putin will travel to New Delhi later this year for talks with PM Modi aimed at removing barriers to bilateral trade. Strengthening India-Russia trade ties remains a top priority for Moscow, which is working on improved payment mechanisms to shield transactions from the impact of U.S. sanctions.
The Russian Embassy highlighted efforts to streamline systems for business cooperation, noting that despite challenges, India and Russia have consistently maintained strong economic relations through defense, energy, and technology partnerships.
Indian Refiners Resume Russian Oil Purchases
Two senior officials told Reuters that Indian refiners, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum, have resumed Russian oil purchases for September and October deliveries after Moscow widened discounts to nearly $3 per barrel.
Earlier in July, refiners had briefly paused imports when discounts narrowed, but the resumption signals India’s determination to continue tapping into cost-effective Russian crude. IOC also confirmed that it has diversified its Russian crude portfolio to include Urals, Varandey, and Siberian Light grades.
India’s Growing Oil Imports from Russia
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has sharply increased its reliance on Russian crude since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. Despite U.S. sanctions and mounting global pressure, Indian refiners continue to purchase Russian oil due to its economic benefits.
For Moscow, this trade is not only about energy but also about strengthening India-Russia relations at a time when global alliances are shifting. Cheap Russian oil is a lifeline for India that keeps fuel prices low and protects its rapidly rising economy.